Static Line

[Tony]

I am thinking about buying a static line for the single line assents I seem to be doing more of these days. I was just looking for comments sugestions pro's and con's on brands etc. Whatever would be helpfull, my experience is limited to tree ropes not kernmantle.

 

[Tom Dunlap]

My preference is to use 7/16" diameter KM III. Even 3/8" diameter is strong enough, generally in the 6,000# breaking strength, but the line is a little hard to handle since its so small.

Whatever brand you get, get a bright color to keep it visible.

What system are you using for ascent?

Tom

 

[frans]

Tom
I am interested in your set-up for ascending. You mentioned that your set up will fit into your hand. My ascenders will fit but not as big as a snowball
frans

 

[klimbinfool]

This a interseting subject. Tom The 7/16 is a good line and so is the 3/8 in KM.Blue water also makes good static lines as well.Ultimatly, the strength has priority on choice.Than I go for feel and how it works with your ascending system. Some ropes have a looser lay and some are very tight or hard lay. For static line, I prefer a hard layed rope.The ascenders tend to move smoother up the line. Unless I'm setting a static line for tree work, then of course, I use half inch .If your setting static lines, oh, 150' and plus, you might want to try the 3/8. Much much lighter and still holds the strength. May be a little freaky if you never climed on that small of a line.
I'm going to be hopefully, marketing a static line system soon , called the GLeasy sls sytem. However, I'm very interested in what you folks are using. Could you tell me about how you enter on static lines?

Greg

 

[Mark Chisholm]

I don't do a whole lot of single rope climbing, but when I do I like to use a three ascender technique (I belive) to be called the rope walker technique. Knut Foppe` had taught that technique to me a few years back at the TCI Expo. Very fast once you are comfortable with it.

Tony, I like the New England KM III. I typically use 11mm. It seems to be very easy on the ascenders. Like Klimbingfool said, it is hard and rather stiff. That makes it pretty smooth during the ascent.

 

[klimbinfool]

Mark , what kind of ascenders do you use for this system? and are you grabbing the rope or holding onto the ascenders? and what about your feet, how are they attached ?

 

[Mark Chisholm]

<BLOCKQUOTE><font size="1" face="Verdana, Helvetica, sans-serif">quote:</font><HR> Mark , what kind of ascenders do you use for this system? and are you grabbing the rope or holding onto the ascenders? and what about your feet, how are they attached ? <HR></BLOCKQUOTE>

Greg, I use Petzl ascenders for SRT. I use a left handed ascender on top, a chest ascender (croll) in the middle and a pantine (ankle) on the bottom. I use the croll for my main attachment and a back-up to the handle ascender. Make sense?

 

[Tom Dunlap]

My SRt system consist of a Microcender for my upper. I have a sling attached to the eye of the cam that clips into the biner on the front of my saddle. I use a Ropeman for a backup. The R is attached to the same biner as the M. The R has a piece of 2mm cord attached to the wire lloop to act as a tether so that I don't have to worry about the fumblies. The R can be used like a slack tender to take the first stretch out of the rope or to snug up the last little bit in the ascent rope. The Pantin finishes off the system. All of it goes into a belt pouch.

When I ascend, one hand is on the sling under the M and the other is on the rope, below the M too. The sling is long enough that it's hard to grab above the ascender.

SRT Rules!

Tom

 

[klimbinfool]

Yes Mark it does make sense. I watched others use that system.I'm not really hip on the pantine my self, athough I know it works and has some advantages.I probably just had a bad experience with it, but the primaries on this redwood started at 250'.That was a long ways to go on one leg.and a 3/8 line to boot.
(Tom) Is most of your srt for recreational climbing.? Is the Mar Bar system out of the question? or are you just going for weight.
Interseting srt, is there anymore that you know of?
Greg

 

[Tony]

Thanx for all the tips and info. Very usefull stuff. In answer to your question Tom, I use alot of different systems depending on situation. Mar-Bars are one of my standbys. My current pet system I developed for my wife. It is a cross between what Mark uses and your system Tom. I use a pantin, but my left foot loop is a stirrup I liberated from my wife's tack trunk. I use a distal hitch for a back up at the saddle and a second assender with an independent line for my second hand and redundancy. Make sense? I have also incorperated a chest harness into the system. My wife has a hard time pulling her body weight over her head repeatedly. Probably too many discolated shoulders from a miss spent youth on horses. The chest harness allows her to stay in line with the main line and not have to lift her arms more than shoulder height. I Tried it and find I like it especialy for next to the trunk assents. Kinda like running up the tree.
Alot of people don't like the Pantin at first. I didn't either untill I statred with the chest harness. It really makes a difference. Thanx again all.